Event Legend:

Flows in the space of probability measures and convergence of Wigner transforms

Abstract: We provide an extension of the theory of flows in Euclidean spaces associated to wekly differentiable
velocity fields, replacing the Euclidean state space with the space of probability measure. This way, the
continuity equation can be viewed as an ODE in the space of probability measures and we provide some
well-posedness and stability results. We illustrate, as an example and a basic motivation for the development
of the theory, the problem of convergence of Wigner transforms in Quantum Mechanics.

On the classical solutions of two dimensional inviscid
rotating shallow water system

Abstract: Joint work with with Chunjing Xie. We prove global existence and asymptotic behavior of classical solutions for two dimensional inviscid Rotating Shallow Water system with small initial data subject to the zero-relative-vorticity constraint. Such global existence is in contrast with the finite time breakdown of compressible Euler equations in two and three dimensions. A key step in our proof is reformulation of the problem into a symmetric quasilinear Klein-Gordon system, which is then studied with combination of the vector field approach and the normal forms. We also probe the case of general initial data and reveal a lower bound for the lifespan that is almost inversely proportional to the size of the initial relative vorticity.

Abstract: Given a model based on a conservation law, we study how the solution
depends from the initial/boundary datum, from the flow and from
various constraints. With this tool, several control problems can be
addressed and the existence of an optimal control can be
proved. Models describing escape dynamics of pedestrians, traffic at
toll gates, open canals management and fluid flow in gas pipelines
fall within this framework. In particular, a necessary condition for
optimality is obtained, which applies to a supply chain model.

Abstract: We consider two gasdynamic contexts: an isentropic context and, respectively, an anisentropic context of a special type. Some [multidimensional] classes of regular solutions [simple waves solutions and regular interactions of simple waves solutions] can be constructively associated to the isentropic context, in presence of an ad hoc requirement of genuine nonlinearity, via a Burnat type ["algebraic"] approach [centered on a duality connection between the hodograph character and the physical character]. The "algebraic" construction fails generally [for geometrical and/or physical reasons] in the mentioned anisentropic context. Incidentally, in this case the "algebraic" construction can be replaced by a Martin type ["differential"] approach [centered on a Monge-Ampere type representation]. Some classes [unsteady 1D; steady supersonic] of regular solutions [pseudo simple waves solutions, regular interactions of pseudo simple waves solutions] can be constructed in this case via a "linearized" version of the "differential" approach. Some contrasts and consonances are considered, in a classifying parallel, between the two approaches ["algebraic", "differential"] and the two classes [isentropic, anisentropic] of regular solutions respectively associated.
This is a joint work with Marina Ileana Dinu.

Abstract: We consider a piecewise smooth solution to a scalar conservation law, with
possibly interacting shocks. After the interactions have taken place,
vanishing viscosity approximations can still be represented by
a regular expansion on smooth regions and by a singular perturbation
expansion near the shocks, in terms of powers of the viscosity
coefficient.

Abstract: In one space dimension, the Godunov scheme can only converge to entropy solutions, for
which uniqueness theorems in various classes are known. We present an example in 2d where
the Godunov scheme converges, depending on the grid, either to an exact entropy solution or
to a second, numerical solution, which is also produced by all other numerical schemes tested.
We propose that entropy solutions are not unique in 2d. The observation also yields an
explanation for the "carbuncle phenomenon", an instability in numerical calculations of shock
waves. Thus fundamental consequences both for numerics and theory.

Abstract: Singular limits in the theory of partial differential equations
represent a class of problems, where some parameters in the equations become
small or infinitely large. We discuss the singular limits arising in the scale
analysis of energetically isolated fluid systems. In particular,
the following topics are addressed:

functional analytic framework and the basic ideas of the
mathematical
theory of continuum fluid mechanics;

Existence and stability of global solutions to shock
reflection problem

Abstract: In this talk we will start with discussion of shock reflection
phenomena. Then we describe recent results on existence and stability of global solutions to regular shock reflection for potential flow
for all wedge angles up to the sonic angle, and discuss the techniques.
The approach is to reduce the shock reflection problem to a free
boundary problem for a nonlinear elliptic equation, with ellipticity
degenerate near a part of the boundary (the sonic arc). We will discuss
techniques to handle such free boundary problems and degenerate elliptic
equations. This is a joint work with Gui-Qiang Chen.

Abstract: In this talk we consider a conservation law (or a system of conservation
laws) on a network consisting in a finite number of arcs and vertices.
This setting is justified by various applications, such as car traffic,
gas pipelines, data networks, supply chains, blood circulation and so on.
The key point in the extension of conservation laws on networks is to
define solutions at vertices. Indeed, it is sufficient to define
solutions only for Riemann problems at vertices, i.e. Cauchy problems
with constant initial data in each arc of the junction. We present some
different possibilities to produce solutions to Riemann problems at
vertices.
Moreover we consider the general Cauchy problem on the network. We
explain how to prove existence of a solution both in the scalar case and
in the case of systems. In particular, for the scalar case, we introduce
general properties on Riemann solvers at vertices, which permit to have
existence of solutions for the Cauchy problem.

Abstract: Numerical approximation of fluid equations are reviewed. We identify
numerical mass diffusion as a characteristic problem in most simulation codes.
This fact is illustrated by an analysis of fluid mixing flows. In these flows,
numerical mass diffusion has the effect of over regularizing the solution.
A number of startling conclusions have recently been observed.
For a flow accelerated by multiple shock waves, we observe
an interface between the two fluids proportional to Delta x-1,
that is occupying a constant fraction of the available mesh degrees of
freedom. This result suggests (a) nonconvergence for the unregularized
mathematical problem or (b) nonuniqueness of the limit if it exists, or
(c) limiting solutions only in the very weak form of a space time dependent
probability distribution.
The cure for this pathology is a regularized solution, in other words
inclusion of all physical regularizing effects, such as viscosity and
physical mass diffusion.
In other words, the amount of regularization of an unstable flow is of
central importance. Too much regularization, with a numerical origin, is bad,
and too little, with respect to the physics, is also bad.
At the level of numerical modeling, the implication from this insight
is to compute solutions of the Navier-Stokes, not the Euler equations.
Resolution requirements for realistic problems make this solution
impractical in most cases. Thus subgrid transport processes must be modeled,
and for this we use dynamic models of the turbulence modeling community.
In the process we combine and extend ideas of the capturing community
(sharp interfaces or numerically steep gradients) with conventional
turbulence models, usually applied to problems relatively smooth at
a grid level.
The numerical strategy is verified with a careful study of a 2D
Richtmyer-Meshkov unstable turbulent mixing problem. We obtain converged
solutions for such molecular level mixing quantities as a chemical reaction
rate. The strategy is validated (comparison to laboratory experiments)
through the study of three dimensional Rayleigh-Taylor unstable flows.

Abstract: In applications of flow in gas and water networks
the 1d p-system is used to describe the flow in pipes.
The dynamics of each pipe is coupled at a node through
coupling conditions inducing boundary conditions.
We study the well-posedness of these
initial boundary value problems of 2×2 balance laws for a
set
of general possibly time-dependent coupling conditions.

Abstract: We show that, for a model system of compressible fluid flow in the upper half space of the plane, curves which intersect the boundary and across which the initial density is discontinuous become tangent to the boundary instantaneously in time. This result is closely related to the instantaneous formation of cusps in two-dimensional incompressible vortex patches.

Abstract: We consider the KdV equation used for modeling, e.g., water waves in a narrow channel. The time evolution is described by a quadratic (Burgers') plus a linear (Airy) term. Since the evolution of each of these terms is quite different, it is natural to ask whether the concatenation of the evolution operators for each term yields an approximation to the evolution operator for the sum. This strategy has been used with good results when designing numerical methods for the KdV equation, but without rigourous convergence proofs. The aim of this talk is to present a first step in this direction, and show convergence of operator splitting for sufficiently regular initial data. (Joint work with N. H. Risebro, K. H. Karlsen, T. Tao.)

Abstract: The global strong solutions to the multi-dimensional viscoelastic fluids and liquid crystals are discussed. Here, a strong solution is a solution in W2,q satisfying the equations almost everywhere.

Nonlinear surface waves and the loss of uniform Lopatinski stability in IBVPs for hyperbolic conservation laws

Abstract: The Kriess-Sakamoto theory for the well-posedness of hyperbolic IBVPs and the Majda theory for shock-wave stability apply under the assumption that a suitable Lopatinski condition holds uniformly. The failure of uniformity is associated with the presence of surface waves on the boundary or discontinuity. We will derive asymptotic equations for "genuine" nonlinear surface waves that decay exponentially away from the surface, such as Rayleigh waves in elasticity or surface waves on a tangential discontinuity in MHD. We will give a short-time existence theorem for smooth solutions of the asymptotic equations under a "tameness" condition on the interaction coefficients between the Fourier components of the surface wave, which prevents the loss of derivatives. We will also show numerical solutions of the asymptotic equations that illustrate singularity formation on the boundary (a mechanism which differs from shock formation in the interior).

Rarefaction wave interaction for the unsteady transonic small
disturbance equation

Abstract: We study a Riemann problem for the unsteady transonic small
disturbance equation that results in a diverging rarefaction problem. We
write the problem in self-similar coordinates and obtain a free boundary
value problem with equations that change type (hyperbolic-elliptic). We
summarize the main ideas and present the main features of the problem.
The flow in the hyperbolic part can be described as a solution of a
degenerate Goursat boundary problem, the interaction of the rarefaction
wave with the subsonic region is illustrated and the subsonic flow is
shown to satisfy a second order degenerate elliptic boundary problem
with mixed boundary conditions. This is joint work with Jun Chen and
Cleopatra Christoforou (University of Houston).

Abstract: Motivated by the problem of symmetric collapsing gas-dynamical shocks we
present a scalar toy model that captures blowup of focusing waves. This model
is simple enough to allow for explicit calculations, and we study some solutions in
detail. As a scalar model it does not describe reflection of waves and this necessitates
a new concept of weak solutions.
Returning to gas-dynamics we review a part of the extensive literature on
compressible flow with symmetry, and collapsing shocks in particular.
We outline an approach to study possible blowup for collapsing shocks.

Abstract: Conservation laws, together with the Gauss law for electrostatics, have
been used to model charge transport in solid state semiconductors and in
electrolytes for several decades. The determination of the current density
is an important aspect of the modeling. In applications to ion channels,
and to electrodiffusion more generally, there has been recent interest in
the effects of the ambient fluid on current density. We discuss the mathematical model for this case:
the Poisson-Nernst-Planck/Navier-Stokes model.
The Cauchy problem was investigated by the speaker in [Transport Theory Statist. Phys. 31 (2002), 333--366], where a local existence-uniqueness theory was demonstrated,
based upon Kato's framework for evolution equations. In this talk, the proof of existence of a global distribution solution
for the model is discussed, in the case of the initial-boundary value problem.
Connection of the above analysis to significant applications is also discussed.

Abstract: Using periodic Evans function expansions, we derive geometric criterion for the modulational instability, i.e. spectral instability to long-wavelength perturbations, of periodic traveling waves of the generalized KdV equation. Such techniques have also recently proven useful for analyzing spectral stability to long-wavelength transverse perturbations, as well as studying nonlinear stability to periodic perturbations. Using standard elliptic function techniques, we can explicitly calculate the necessary geometric information for polynomial nonlinearities: we will only present the results for KdV and modified KdV equations here.
This is joint work with Jared. C. Bronski (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).

Abstract: The study of self-similar solutions of multidimensional conservation laws
leads to systems of equations that change type.
Change of type occurs either across a transonic shock or
at a sonic line. Often the sonic line appears as a free boundary in
the formulation of the problem. Some recent numerical (and experimental)
discoveries of a new kind of shock reflection ('Guderley Mach reflection')
lead to interesting and still unresolved questions concerning the nature
of the self-similar solutions in this generic case.
In this talk, I will present some analysis of a simple model for this
phenomenon, using the transonic small disturbance equation. The
simplified problem seems amenable to analysis, but we are just beginning
to make progress. This is a report on current joint work with Allen
Tesdall and Kevin Payne.

Abstract: We present a numerical method for the compressible Euler
equations in 3 space dimensions where we combine adaptive mesh refinement with subgrid scale modelling.
This increases efficiency and accuracy when computing turbulent flows. We apply this to astrophysical
problems.

Abstract: We consider scalar nonviscous conservation laws with strictly
convex flux in one space dimension, and we investigate the
behavior of bounded L2 perturbations of shock wave solutions
to the Riemann problem using the relative entropy method. We
show that up to a time-dependent translation of the shock, the
L2 norm of a perturbed solution relative to the shock wave is
bounded above by the L2 norm of the initial perturbation.

Abstract: Elastic materials exhibit qualitatively different responses to different kinematic boundary conditions or body forces. As a first step towards understanding the related evolutionary problem, one studies the minimizers of an appropriate nonlinear elastic energy functional.
We shall give an overview of recent results, rigorously deriving 2d elasticity theories for thin 3d shells around mid-surfaces of arbitrary geometry. One major ingredient is the study of Sobolev spaces of infinitesimal isometries on surfaces, their density and matching properties. Another one relates to the non-Euclidean version of 3d nonlinear elasticity, conjectured to explain the mechanism for spontaneous formation of non-zero stress equilibria in growing tissues (leaves, flowers). Here, we prove a Gamma-convergence result, and as a corollary, we obtain new conditions for existence of isometric immersions of 2d Riemannian metrics into 3d space.

Abstract: The study of shock wave theory for hyperbolic and viscous conservation laws is a good starting point for the study of certain aspects of kinetic theory. It offers different perspective and techniques than those coming from statistical mechanics. The main difference is the emphasis on the fluid dynamical phenomena. However, it is also important to realize that kinetic theory offers more than gas dynamics, particularly when it comes to the shock, initial and boundary layers. Also, depending on the physical situations, different fluid dynamics equations are derived from the Boltzmann equation. We will comment on these issues and present some recent results on invariant manifolds for stationary Boltzmann equation.

Abstract: I will present some results on the existence and
nonlinear stability for the rotating star solutions which are
axi-symmetric steady-state solutions of the compressible
isentropic Euler-Poisson equations in 3 spatial dimensions.
We then apply these results to rotating white dwarf stars to
show its dynamical stability when the total
mass is less than a critical mass, which is related to the
"Chandrasekhar"limit in astrophysics. This is a joint work
with Joel Smoller.

Abstract: It will be reviewed briefly various physical models leading to a
description based on Quantum Hydrodynamics: Superfluidity, BEC,
superconductivity, semiconductors and there will be recalled various
derivations of the PDE system.
The main result (joint with P. Antonelli) shows the global existence
of "irrotational" weak solutions with
the sole assumption of finite energy, without any smallness or any
further smoothness of the initial data.
The approach is based on various tools, namely the wave functions
polar decomposition, the construction of approximate solution via a
fractional steps method which iterates a Schrödinger Madelung picture
with a suitable wave function updating mechanism.
Therefore several a priori bounds of energy, dispersive and local
smoothing type, allow to prove the compactness of the approximating
sequences. A different approach can be used to study small
disturbances of subsonic (in the QHD sense) steady states.
Some improvements may are shown to be possible in the 2-D analysis.

Abstract: We prove the global existence of regular solutions
to the water waves problem in 3D.
The proof is based on the combinaison of
energy estimates and dispersive
estimates.
This is a joint
work with Pierre Germain and Jalal Shatah.

On the motion of several rigid bodies in an incompressible non-Newtonian
and heat-conducting fluid

Abstract: We will consider the problem of the motion of several rigid bodies in
viscous non-Newtonian heat fluid in bounded domain in three dimensional
situation.Using penalization method developed by Conca, San Martin,
Tucsnak and Starovoitov we have shown the existence of weak solution and
moreover we show that for certain non-newtonian fluids there are no
collisions among bodie or body and boundary of domain.

Abstract: We present our recent results on one- and multi-dimensional
asymptotic stability of noncharacteristic boundary layers in gas dynamics (or a more general class of
hyperbolic--parabolic systems) with suction- or blowing-type boundary conditions. The linearized and nonlinear stability is established for layers with arbitrary amplitudes, under the assumption of strong spectral, or uniform Evans, stability. The latter assumption has been verified for small-amplitude layers in one-d case by various authors using energy estimates and in multi-d case by Guès, Métivier, Williams, and Zumbrun. For large-amplitude layers, it may be efficiently checked numerically by a combination of asymptotic ODE estimates and numerical Evans function computations.
This is a joint work with Kevin Zumbrun.

Abstract: We describe the approach through which various elastic shell models are
rigorously derived from the 3D nonlinear elasticity theory. Some results
and a conjecture on the limiting theories are presented. Spaces of weakly
regular isometries or infinitesimal isometries of surfaces arise in this
context. Important problems regarding these spaces include rigidity,
regularity and density of smooth mappings.
This project is partly a collaboration with Marta Lewicka and Maria-Giovanna Mora.

A new fourth-order non-oscillatory central scheme for
hyperbolic conservation laws

Abstract: We propose a new fourth-order non-oscillatory central scheme for computing approximate solutions of hyperbolic conservation laws. A piecewise cubic polynomial is used for the spatial reconstruction and for the numerical derivatives we choose genuinely fourth-order accurate non-oscillatory approximations. The solution is advanced in time using natural continuous extension of Runge-Kutta methods. Numerical tests on both scalar and gas dynamics problems confirm that the new scheme is non-oscillatory and yields sharp results when solving profiles with discontinuities. Experiments on nonlinear Burgers’ equation indicate that our scheme is superior to existing fourth-order central schemes in the sense that the total variation (TV) of the computed solutions are closer to the total variation of the exact solution.

A coupled system of elliptic/conservation law arising in cell self-organization

Abstract: Several models have been proposed in order to describe cell communities self-organisation. One of them consists in coupling a multidimensional scalar conservation law with an elliptic equation which gradient determines the flux in the conservation law.
In dimension larger than 1, the model looses all nice properties of hyperbolic conservation laws: no contraction property, no BV bound, no regularizing effect. That is the reason why our approach for existence of solutions is based on the kinetic formulation. We recall how weak limits can be handled with this tool and strong convergence follows from uniqueness.
In the case at hand, the specific nonlinearity creates an additional defect measure. Fine analysis of properties of this measure provides us with the lacking information to prove uniqueness and deduce that the weak limit still satisfies the system.

On an inhomogeneous slip-inflow boundary value problem for a steady
flow of a viscous compressible fluid in a cylindrical domain

Abstract: We investigate a steady flow of a viscous compressible fluid with inflow
boundary condition on the density
and inhomogeneous slip boundary conditions on the velocity in a
cylindrical domain.
We show existence of a strong solution that is a small perturbation
of a constant flow (v* = (1,0,0), ρ* = 1).
We also show that this solution is unique in the class of small
perturbations of (v*,ρ*).
The nonlinear term in the continuity makes it impossible to apply
a fixed point argument. Therefore in order to show the existence
of the solution we use a method of successive approximations.

The Riemann problem for the stochastically perturbed non-viscous
Burgers equation and the pressureless gas dynamics model

Abstract: Proceeding from the method of stochastic perturbation of a
Langevin system associated with the non-viscous Burgers equation
we construct a solution to the Riemann problem for the
pressureless gas dynamics and sticky particles system. We analyze
the difference in the behavior of discontinuous solution for these
two models and relations between them.

Abstract: In his celebrated thesis, S. Kawashima gave a framework for the analysis of the Cauchy problem for nonlinear viscous systems of conservation laws. Some assumptions are quite natural, while other ones are mysterious and require cumbersome calculations. We clarify the situation, by introducing a set of assumption which is natural and very easy to verify. We derive an existence and uniqueness result of strong solutions, in a slightly larger class than the one known before.

Abstract: We consider a model for the flow of granular matter which was proposed by
Hadeler and Kuttler (Granular Matter, 1999). The original model uses the height of
the standing layer and the thickness of the moving layer as the unknowns.
By introducing the slope the standing layer, one arrives at a 2 by 2 system of
balance laws. This system is weakly linearly degenerate at a point.
With suitable conditions on the initial data, one can prove the global existence
of smooth solutions. Furthermore, we prove the global existence of large
BV solutions, for a class of initial data with bounded but possibly large
total variation.
This is partly a joint work with Debora Amadori, Italy.

Abstract: Joint work with Debora Amadori
(Università degli Studi dell'Aquila).
We study a 2×2 system of balance laws that describes the evolution
of a granular material (avalanche) flowing downhill. The original
model was proposed by Hadeler and Kuttler.
We first consider an initial-boundary value problem, where at the boundary
the flow of the incoming material is assigned. For this problem we prove
the global existence of BV solutions for a suitable class of data, with
bounded by possibly large total variations.
We then study the "slow erosion (or deposition) limit", obtained as the
thickness of the moving layer tends to zero. We show
that, in the limit, the profile of the standing layer depends only on the
total mass of the avalanche flowing downhill, not on the time-law
describing at which rate the material slides down. More precisely, the
limiting slope of the mountain profile is provided by an entropy solution
to a scalar integro-differential conservation law.

Abstract: In this course we will give an introduction to conservative
short capturing numerical methods for solving multi-dimensional
systems of conservation laws. High order accurate finite
difference, finite volume and discontinuous Galerkin finite
element methods will be covered. We will start with the
basic algorithm issues in a simple scalar one dimensional
setting and then describe the generalization to multi-dimensional
systems. A comparison among these different numerical methods
will be provided.
Lecture References:

Well-posedness results for the transport equation, and
applications to the chromatography system

Abstract: The talk will be based on a joint work with L. Ambrosio, G. Crippa and A.
Figalli. First, some new well-posedness results for continuity and
transport equations with weakly differentiable velocity fields will be
discussed. These results can be applied to the analysis of a 2 x 2 system
of conservation laws in one space dimension known as the chromatography
system, leading to global existence and uniqueness results for suitable
classes of entropy admissible solutions.

Abstract: We provide a bird's eye view of a selected topics in approximate solution of nonlinear conservation laws and related time dependent equations. We begin with a discussion on regularity spaces in theory and computation. We will continue with a presentation of the class of high-resolution central schemes. We will discuss the issue of entropy stability and conclude with ongoing research on constrained transport.

Abstract: In this talk we discuss discretization based dispersive-dissipative regularization of mixed type systems and derive the resulting closure conditions known as kinetic relations. Algebraic kinetic relations link velocities of the undercompressed jump discontinuities with the corresponding driving forces and are widely used to model dynamical response of phase boundaries. To capture the effects of discretization more faithfully we propose to replace algebraic kinetic relations with differential kinetic equations which involve some specially selected collective variables characterizing not only the location of the discontinuity but also the structure of the transition region. Joint work with A. Vainchtein.

Abstract: We consider a system of hyperbolic-parabolic equations describing
a material instability mechanism associated to the formation of
shear bands at high strain-rate plastic deformations of metals.
We consider the case of adiabatic shearing and derive
a quantitative criterion for the onset of instability:
Using ideas from the theory of relaxation systems
we derive equations that describe the effective
behavior of the system. The effective equation turns out to be
a forward-backward parabolic equation regularized by fourth order term.
Further, we study numerically the effect of thermal diffusion on the
evolution of these bands. It turns out that while localization initially
forms at a later stage of the deformation heat diffusion has the
power hinder and even altogether suppress localization and even return
the evolution to uniform deformation.
(joint work with Th. Katsaounis and Th. Baxevanis, Univ. of Crete).

Global regularity of solutions to systems of reaction-diffusion with
sub-quadratic growth in any dimension

Abstract: In this talk, we present the study of the regularity of solutions to some
systems of reaction–diffusion equations, with reaction terms having a
subquadratic growth. We show the global boundedness and regularity of
solutions, without smallness assumptions, in any dimension N. The proof
is based on blow-up techniques. The natural entropy of the system plays a
crucial role in the analysis. It allows us to use of De Giorgi type
methods introduced for elliptic regularity with rough coefficients. Even
if those systems are entropy supercritical, it is possible to control the
hypothetical blow-ups, in the critical scaling, via a very weak norm.

Abstract: We offer an alternate derivation for the symmetric-hyperbolic formulation of the equations of motion for a hyperelastic material with
polyconvex stored energy. The derivation makes it clear that the expanded system is equivalent, for weak solutions, to the original system. We consider motions with variable as well as constant temperature. In addition, we present equivalent Eulerian equations of motion, which are also symmetric-hyperbolic.

Abstract: Some recent research progresses on the multi-dimensional
compressible Euler equations will be reviewed. In particular, the
transonic flows past an obstacle such as an airfoil, and the
isometric embeddings in geometry will be discussed. The talk is based
on the joint works with Gui-Qiang Chen and Marshall Slemrod.

Abstract: In this talk we study the stability of multidimensional contact discontinuities in compressible fluids. There are two kinds of contact discontinuities,
one is so-called the vortex sheet, mainly due to that the
tangential velocity is discontinuous across the front, and the other one is
the entropy wave, for which the velocity is continuous while the entropy
has certain jump on the front.
It is well-known that the vortex sheet in two dimensional compressible Euler equations is stable when the Mach number is larger than
√2, while in three dimensional problem it is always unstable. But,
some physical phenomena indicate that the magnetic field has certain
stabilization effect for waves in fluids. The first goal of this talk is
to rigorously justify this physical phenomenon, and to investigate the
stability of three-dimensional current-vortex sheet in compressible
magneto-hydrodynamics. By using energy method and the Nash-Moser iteration
scheme, we obtain that the current-vortex sheet in three-dimensional
compressible MHD is linearly and nonlinearly stable when the magnetic
fields on both sides of the front are non-parallel to each other.
The second goal is to study the stability of entropy waves. By a
simple computation, one can easily observe that the entropy wave is
structurally unstable in gas dynamics. By carefully studying
the effect
of magnetic fields on entropy waves, we obtain that the entropy wave in
three-dimensional compressible MHD is stable when the normal mag-
netic field is continuous and non-zero on the front.
This is a joint work with Gui-Qiang Chen.

Central schemes for a new class of entropy solutions of the modified
Buckley-Leverett equation

Abstract: Joint work with Chiu-Yen Kao.
Buckley-Leverett (BL) equation arises in two-phase flow problem in porous
media. It models the oil recovery by water-drive in one-dimension. Here we
propose a central scheme for an extension of the BL equation which
includes the dynamic effects in the pressure difference between the two
phases and results in a third order mixed derivatives term in the modified
BL equation. The numerical scheme is able to capture the admissible shocks
which is the so-called nonclassical shock due to the violation of the
Oleinik entropy condition.

Abstract: The isentropic Euler equations form a system of conservation laws modeling compressible fluid flows with constant thermodynamical entropy. Due to the occurence of shock discontinuities, the total energy of the system is decreasing in time. We review the second order calculus on the wasserstein space of probability measures and show how the isentropic Euler equations can be interpreted as a steepest descent equation in this framework. We introduce a variational time discretization based on a sequence of minimization problems, and show that this approximation converges to a suitably defined measure-valued solution of the conservation law. Finally, we present some preliminary results about the numerical implementation of our time discretization.

Abstract: We give a complete description of nonlinear waves and their pairwise
interactions in isentropic gas dynamics. Our analysis includes
rarefactions, compressions and shock waves. We describe the
interaction in terms of a reference state and incident wave
strengths, and give explicit estimates of the outgoing wave
strengths. Our estimates are global in that they apply to waves of
arbitrary strength, and they are uniform in the incoming reference
state. In particular, the estimates continue to hold as this state
approaches vacuum. We also consider composite interactions, which
can be regarded as a degenerate superposition of pairwise
interactions. We construct a class of exact weak solutions which
demonstrate some interesting and surprising features of
interactions, and use these to demonstrate the collapse of a vacuum:
in most cases two shocks will emerge from the vacuum, but in certain
asymmetric cases a single shock and a rarefaction may emerge.

Abstract: Joint work with Blake Temple.
In this ongoing collaboration with Blake Temple, we attempt
to prove
the existence of periodic solutions to the Euler equations of
gas
dynamics. Such solutions have long been thought not to exist
due to
shock formation, and this is confirmed by the celebrated
Glimm-Lax
decay theory for 2×2 systems. However, in the full
3×3
system,
multiple interaction effects can combine to slow down and
prevent
shock formation. We describe the physical mechanism
supporting
periodicity, analyze combinatorics of simple wave
interactions, and
develop periodic solutions to a "linearized" problem.
These
linearized solutions have a beautiful structure and exhibit
several
surprising and fascinating phenomena. We then consider
perturbing
these as a bifurcation problem, which leads us to problems of
small
divisors and KAM theory. As an intermediate step, we find
solutions
which are periodic to within arbitrarily high Fourier modes.

Abstract: We show that there are supersonic solutions to the
Euler system that are not hyperbolic in the traditional
sense. These solutions occur at the transonic region,
whose characteristics may both come from the sonic line and
end at the sonic line. Based on the new wave structure,
we offer perspectives to construct global transonic
solutions to the Riemann problems.

Abstract: Using a combination
of numerical Evans function computations and asymptotic ODE analysis,
we carry out global stability analyses for interesting examples including ideal gas and parallel MHD shocks, across the entire range
of physical parameters: in particular, in the large amplitude or
magnetic field limit.

Arizona State University, Boeing, Corning Incorporated, ExxonMobil, Ford, General Motors, Georgia Institute of Technology, Honeywell, IBM, Indiana University, Iowa State University, Kent State University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lockheed Martin, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Medtronic, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Microsoft Research, Mississippi State University, Motorola, Northern Illinois University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rice University, Rutgers University, Sandia National Laboratories, Schlumberger Cambridge Research, Schlumberger-Doll, Seoul National University, Siemens, Telcordia, Texas A & M University, University of Central Florida, University of Chicago, University of Cincinnati, University of Delaware, University of Houston, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, University of Tennessee, University of Wisconsin, University of Wyoming, US Air Force Research Laboratory, Wayne State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute